World

Libya migrants: Sight of rescuers 'led to capsize'

BBC News

April 15, 2015 6:00 pm

A shipwreck in which about 400 migrants are feared to have died off Libya this week was caused by excitement at the sight of rescuers, survivors say.

They told officials that the boat capsized when many migrants moved to one side as a rescue ship approached.

Monday’s sinking is among the worst migrant tragedies in the Mediterranean.
Aid agencies say not enough is being done to save the lives of the rising number of people trying to cross the sea to Europe.

Up to 20,000 people fleeing poverty and conflict have made the perilous crossing to Italy since the start of the year, similar to the same period in 2014, a year when a record 170,000 reached the country’s shores.

Almost 10,000 people have been picked up in recent days, and more boats are heading for the Italian coast.